I think spinner and helicopter style is basically the same, but I want to do it just to see how successful I can be with it as opposed to the conventional way. I've been bowling conventional (stroker) and average 180, but I just want to try something different.

Have you watched any videos? If you have, which delivery do you use? Once you determine the method of delivery, which way does the ball move the most? Once we know how your ball moves, we can apply some fundamentals to position you correctly on the approach. Spinners/helicopter generally speaking, carry equally well on both sides of the head pin. If you have a dominate side then you'd want to play to that strength.

Thanks for the video and your replies! Yes, I've watched some videos, but I'm struggling with consistency, accuracy, and revs which doesn't happen when I bowl conventional. Sometimes I'm pulling the ball, and other times I think I might be releasing too early. During my back swing my hand is behind the ball, then during the front swing is when I turn my hand counter clockwise to get a spin. I'm not sure where the spinning should come from though...is it my wrist, elbow, shoulder or a combination that creates the spin? Should I have a tighter grip on the ball with my fingers and thumb? One thing that is consistent is that I don't appear to be getting many revs when I try to spin, especially compared to the videos from pros or amateurs. Thanks so much!

First things first. Regardless of how you release the ball, you need to have a fundamentally sound approach. Do you currently have a 4 step, 5 step or something else?

At age 50, the flexibility needed to throw a spinner or helicopter ball will be somewhat compromised. Without seeing what you look like when you bowl, I'm going to suspect to get any real RPM's from whichever release you use, you'll need to create a little snap at the very end. In the early stages, this will show up as a 'pull' but as you do it more often, hopefully you'll gain some control.

If a person throws a ball underhand allowing the ball to simple roll straight forward off their hand, they can expect a reasonable amount of predictability from that release.

Throwing a spinner/helicopter where the amount of rotation will initially be unpredictable will result in shots being sprayed over a wide area.

I would recommend you use the most relaxed grip you can and still hold on to the ball. What kind of grip do you have now? Conventional, semi, full fingertip or something else?

When I was a kid we had a friend who threw a serious spinner. His ball track wasn't 6 inches in diameter. He was throwing a back-up ball. He would stand a little right of center, throw the ball a little left of the head pin and his ball would hook back the other way. He seemed to carry equally well on both sides as well as hits right on the nose. He never averaged over 175 but he sure was entertaining to watch.

When little kids try to throw a ball that weighs too much for them to handle, they'll often get their hand turned all the way around so the ball is facing back toward their body. In effect, they have 180 degrees of axis rotation. To throw a helicopter shot, you'll need to get about 190 degrees of axis rotation. How many RPM's you'll be able impart will have a lot to do with timing and flexibility.

I've only seen kids, Asian men and a few women do it successfully. Oddly, most were great spare shooters :-)

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